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Leupold Binos

SKYDIVER386
Has anyone here seen a pair of the new Golden Ring bino's that Leupold has out? I'm seriously in the market for a good pair for use here in AZ for hunting desert bighorns and possibly pronghorns. I was about to buy a pair of Steiners until I saw the Leupolds in a magazine and I have had such good luck with the riflescopes I really want to give them consideration. Problem is, I dont know of anybody local that carries them and I hate to buy sight unseen, especially when they cost nearly $1,000.00. I need to buy a pair before the season starts and these are the models I'm considering;

Leupold Golden Ring 10x42
Steiner Predator 10x42
Steiner Merlin 10x42
Ziess ClassiC 10X40


I think anything under $1000 will do and I dont mind paying for quality. Lieca and Swarovski are really nice, but just a bit above my budget in the size I'm looking for. Starting price for those seems to be $1,500 on up and I'd like to stay around $700-$900. I really need a bino that can cut through heat shimmer and mirage over long distances here in the AZ desert. I appriciate any help.

"I was see'in this girl for about six weeks..........then somebody took my binoculars outta the truck!"[:D]
-Larry the Cable Guy
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • dcso3009
    I looked at all you have listed, and more. Some to consider also are the Olympus (I forget the model) and Burris signature. I bought the Burris and have no regrets.
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  • He Dog
    Leupold binos are not among the top rated glasses in most of the rating scales (think bird watching sites, they have very high standards). Take a look at Eagle Optics Platinum Rangers. For around $400 they are the equals of $600 binos. I use them for hunting and some birding and have tested them right with Leicas. The leicas give me about 4-5 minutes extra at the beginning and end of the day. Top rated binos (with top prices!) are Nikon Superiors.

    Re: the next response, only Schmidt and Bender makes their optics from the ground up. Nothing is outsourced. They are the only optics maker in the world that does it that way. Even US manufacturers like Leupold and Burris outsource their glass. You cannot buy all American made period. So, buy good ones and don't stress over where they were made.
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  • Toolmaker
    Have you considered Pentax DCF SP? Though it runs against the grain of my buy USA attitude; these are not Chinese but made in Japan.

    They were a new release a year or so ago. These are a real nice set of binocs for the money. Research it I think you'll agree; here's a place to start:

    http://www.optics4birding.com/RevPentaxDCFSP.aspx

    Prices vary significantly so shop around -- hint "e-bay"

    I picked up a copy of 8X43's for around $430.00.

    Good luck.
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  • sandwarrior
    Skydiver,

    I have to question your choice of sticking with the 10X for the game you are hunting. I personally would be looking in the 15X-16X range with possible variable power. If $1K is your limit you won't be getting the very best of the best but you can really good.

    I have found that when glassing bighorn herds in NV 10X will only allow you to see the herd and not the possible trophy that you may be after. The same for Antelope, you can see them but it is really hard to determine if the animal is worth stalking when you are nearly a mile away.
    I suggest the higher power and still know that no matter how good the glass, heat mirage will disrupt your view more often of the animal with higher power. You need some patience for that and I suggest a small portable tripod like a 10"-19" like that used for cameras. It helps keep your bino's still with the higher power so you won't need to bring along a spotting scope ..(saves weight) and you get more time looking at the animal between heat blooms that drive you nuts.
    If you are set on the 10x42 Swarovski's you had a good suggestion by Toolmaker where to look...currently 800 bucks. I know I have seen their 'American' models for less than you stipulate as your limit. Zeiss conquest is another good one to look at. They are made by Meopta for Zeiss.
    I also recommend staying around 40mm or larger objective for good light transmission. Good luck with your choice.

    We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>
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  • SKYDIVER386
    Thanks so much for all your advice. The optics website you provided is a gold mine of info and this seems like a great way to compare the brands and models. I had hoped that someone had actually used a pair and could comment, but this seems to be more factual for purposes of comparisson.

    I had read that only one company actually builds the entire product themselves, but the magazine article didnt say Scmidt & Bender by name. You can bet I'll give them a close look.

    Sandwarrior, you may be right pointing out that more magnification is needed for spotting at long distances and I think I'll go with at least a 12X. Problem is, for quality at these larger sizes, the price starts to skyrocket bigtime. I guess I have a lot more shopping to do. Any other links that give a good comparisson would be great.

    Thanks again guys.

    "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
    Sir Winston Churchill
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  • He Dog
    This may be too obvious, and you may have good reasons, perhaps related to weight and bulk, not to consider it, but you can buy a very serviceable spotting scope for far less than 10x or 12x binos. Along with a small tripod for under $50 you can pretty much examine the horns from even greater distance. Unless you are a lot steadier than I, you will need a tripod for 12x binos anyway.

    Look also at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/publications/livingbird/spring99/binos.html

    For reviews by folks not selling binos.
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  • scott
    i have owned gobs of binoculars includind zeiss, swarovski etc. you do not have to spend that kind of money to get at LEAST equal performance...if you want a GREAT 10x binocular any one of the following will perform for you and at a fraction of the cost...the older 10x40 leupold porro prism IF series ( can find about once a month on ebay from (200-300):fujinons militaty style individual focus or CD series; or lastly, as the other responder posted, the pentax binoculars with the phase coating. i have recently handled and looked through the new browning 10x bino's with the phase coating and they were very impressive as well, but have never actually used a set,... YET !
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